KARACHI, Dec 9: Mostly Iranian films dominated the showings at the auditorium of the Pakistan Institute of International Affairs as crowds first flocked to see Soprano and then to attend a talk entitled ‘Irani Cinema: Acts of Independence’ by the lead actor of Rakshan Bani-Etemad’s Gilaneh, Fatemeh Motamed-arya.

Talking to a group of film enthusiasts and journalists, she said that parallel cinema in Iran enjoyed the support of the government and it was for that sole reason that it had flourished there, and was going on to make a name for itself in the international community. She added that although commercial cinema still existed there, the crassness had been done away with to quite an extent and it was on the path to reformation.

In reply to the question on what could be done to revive the dying art of film-making in Pakistan, Fatemeh suggested: “Just be yourself.” She was of the view that instead of blindly copying Bollywood actors and directors, their Pakistani counterparts would be much better off sticking to themes and ideas at par with local lifestyles.

It was followed by the screening of Gilaneh that deals with the disturbing issue of the Iraqi missile attacks on Iranian cities that reached its peak in 1988.

The film traces the trials and tribulations of a peasant woman whose son, Esmaeil, leaves home to fight the war and the anxieties that the woman and her daughter-in-law face in his absence. After the showing, a question and answer session also followed with Fatemeh.

Earlier, the documentary Mast Qalandar paid homage to the great sufi saint of Sindh, while reflecting on the devotional path his followers, arriving from far and wide, take on their way to Sehwan on the occasion of his urs every year.

As for mainstream cinema, Khalnayak catered to a full house, suggesting that the Subhash Ghai production still holds immense appeal for the average Pakistani viewer.

Known for its crisp storyline and hit songs, including Madhuri Dixit’s item number, Choli kay peeche kya hai, Khalnayak traces the story of a female police officer who goes to great lengths to bring a criminal, played by Sanjay Dutt, to justice.

The Indian entry, The House on Gulmohar Avenue, dealt with the issue of what it is like to be a Muslim Indian. Later, the question and answer session with Director Samina Mishra only drove home the point that individuality is a casualty that usually occurs as a result of living in a multicultural society.

Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy’s perception of the status of women in Saudi Arabian society, Women of the Holy Kingdom, raised quite a few questions but it is a pity that the director, who lives in the US, was not available to answer them in the post-screening slot.

At the Alliance Francaise, gala screenings of Shekhar Kapoor’s political drama Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi and the Oscar-nominated Hollywood film, Barton Fink, remained among the more popular ones.

However, with the festival catering to all tastes, other noteworthy films that got their chance at glory include the social comment Shahrukh Khan Ki Maut at the Iqra University in which a young boy idolizes the Bollywood superstar only to have his dreams ripped to shreds by the callousness of his peers.

Meanwhile, the Sania Saeed-Faisal Qureshi starrer, Khamoshi boasted of superlative acting performances. Both the actors convincingly portrayed the problems faced by the couple after they move into a noisy neighbourhood and risk losing their sanity along with each other.

Also to be screened on Friday were Dubai Return by Director Aditya Bhattacharya and the curtain raiser of Kara-favourite Pooja Bhatt’s film Holiday, a musical about a girl who comes to terms with her ordinary status while learning to celebrate it as well.

A seminar on the coverage given by the electronic media to the earthquake disaster was also held. Scheduled for Sunday is an awards ceremony that will officially conclude the KaraFilm Festival this year.